East Madeira: Pico Areeiro, Levada Walk & Rum Tasting

Three Peaks and a Levada: What the East Coast Shows You in One Day

You're picked up from your Funchal hotel and driven to Pico do Areeiro, then through Ribeiro Frio (where you can hike the Levada or explore the trout nursery), Guindaste viewpoint, Santana's traditional houses, and Porto da Cruz for rum tasting at North Mills Distillery. The day ends at Ponta do Rosto on the easternmost peninsula. Your certified guide handles all the driving and knows where to stop. You just show up and follow along.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Eastern Madeira highlights

• Visit Pico do Areeiro viewpoint
• Lunch break and Levada walk at Ribeiro Frio
• Explore trout nursery at Ribeiro Frio
• Admire views at Guindaste viewpoint
• Visit Santana village and thatched houses
• Stop at Porto da Cruz and taste rum
• End at Ponta do Rosto viewpoint

The experience

You want to see the real Madeira, not just the postcard version, but you're only here for a few days and don't have a car. That's the feeling that makes this tour click. The day starts early at Pico do Areeiro, the island's third-highest peak at 1,818 meters, where the air clears and you can see the whole northeast coast spread out below you. Your certified guide handles the driving and timing, which means you're not squinting at a map or negotiating a mountain road you've never driven before. The pickup happens in the Funchal area, so you're collected from your hotel and brought back without the logistics.

The heart of the day is Ribeiro Frio, where you get a full 1.5 hours to choose your own pace. There's a 30–40 minute Levada walk that cuts through the forest to a viewpoint. It's optional, and if you want to do it you'll need to book the entrance fee separately (5.50€ per person) and let the office know in advance so they can send you the details. If walking isn't your thing, the trout nursery sits right there in the same lush valley, or you can grab lunch at one of the local restaurants and just sit with a coffee. Your guide can point you toward the best spots. After that, you stop at Guindaste viewpoint in Faial for the panoramic views, then roll into Santana for 20 minutes to see the iconic triangular thatched houses: the ones that look like they belong in a fairy tale but are actually the traditional architecture of the island.

Porto da Cruz comes next, a small seaside village where the North Mills Distillery sits waiting. You get 20–30 minutes there, which is enough to walk through the rum producer, one of the oldest on Madeira, and taste the sugarcane rum they've been making for generations. It's a real working distillery, not a museum, so you're tasting something that's actually made there. The tour ends at Ponta do Rosto, the easternmost point on the peninsula, where the views open up to both coasts and on a clear day you can see Porto Santo Island in the distance. It's the kind of viewpoint that makes you understand why people come back to Madeira.

The whole thing runs as a guided tour, which means you're not figuring out where to park or how long to spend at each stop. The guide knows the rhythm and the timing. Groups stay small enough that you're not herded through like a school trip. If you've got kids, there are specialized infant seats available and strollers work fine on the main stops. The tour suits all fitness levels, though the Levada walk is optional and the other stops are short walks or viewpoints where you can take your time.

What’s included

• Your day includes hotel pickup in the Funchal area, a certified guide for the full tour, all insurance, and entry to the North Mills Distillery with a rum tasting.
• The Levada walk entrance fee (5.50€ per person) and meals are not included, but you have time to eat at Ribeiro Frio and the guide can suggest restaurants.
• Specialized infant seats are available if you're traveling with small children.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (9 to 17 years) · Child (under 9)

GroupUp to 30 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by bearded madeira tours & walks

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the east coast's main viewpoints and cultural stops in one day without arranging transport or timing yourself: the certified guide and fixed itinerary take that off your hands, and the 1.5-hour break at Ribeiro Frio lets you choose whether to hike the Levada or just rest.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (9 to 17 years); Child (under 9).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the full tour?

The itinerary covers the full day, with a 1.5-hour break at Ribeiro Frio and shorter stops (20–30 minutes) at Santana, Porto da Cruz, and the viewpoints. Total duration depends on traffic and how long you spend at each location, but plan for a full day out.

Is the Levada walk included?

No. The 30–40 minute Levada walk at Ribeiro Frio is optional and costs 5.50€ per person. You need to tell the office in advance if you want to do it so they can send you booking details. If you skip it, you can explore the trout nursery or eat lunch instead.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup in the Funchal area, a certified guide, all insurance, and entry to the rum distillery with a tasting. The Levada walk entrance fee and meals are not included.

Do I need to be fit to do this tour?

The tour is designed for all fitness levels. Most stops are viewpoints or short walks. The Levada walk is optional, so you can skip it if you prefer.

What if I don't want to do the Levada walk?

You have a 1.5-hour break at Ribeiro Frio. You can visit the trout nursery, eat at a local restaurant, or just rest. The walk is entirely optional.

Will I see Ponta de São Lourenço?

Yes, the tour ends at Ponta do Rosto on the easternmost peninsula, which is part of the Ponta de São Lourenço headland. On clear days you can see Porto Santo Island from there.

Is lunch included?

No. You have 1.5 hours at Ribeiro Frio to eat at one of the local restaurants, but meals are not included in the tour price.

Can I do this tour if I don't have a rental car?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in the Funchal area are included, so you don't need a car.